Steigen municipality is an area in Nordland, Northern Norway. Despite being located only a stone throw from world-famous Lofoten and having just as much to offer, Steigen and its islands are rather unknown, and off beaten track destination in Norway.
It’s quite incredible that this stunning region remains under the radar of most visitors to Norway!
The most obvious and best attractions of Steigen are golden-sanded beaches, dramatic mountain hikes and historic sites dating back to Stone, Bronze, and Iron Age.
We were blessed to spend a week in stunning nature of Steigen, and are happy to share the unforgettable experience of the area! We loved its peaceful hiking trails, relaxing beaches, and abundance of berries. Coming from busy summery Lofoten, Steigen awed us with tranquillity and unspoilt nature.
When visiting Northern Norway don’t hesitate to include a several days stopover in Steigen area, and don’t miss the below!
Why you should visit Steigen Norway
OUR TOP ACTIVITIES IN STEIGEN INCLUDE:
#1 exploring Engeloya island
#2 hike to Trohornet
#3 exploring Bosanden beach
#4 hike to Smatinden
#5 visiting Brennvika beach
#6 Lofoten Wall viewpoints
#7 foraging for berries and mushrooms
Where is Steigen and how to get there
Steigen is a part of Nordland county, the same as Lofoten and Vesteralen islands. Hence, you probably suspect correctly that visiting Steigen can be easily included in your Lofoten or Vestralen trip!
Looking at the map you will see Steigen across the sea (to the right!) from Lofoten. Look for Engeloya and Hamaroya islands divided by Sagfjorden.
Relaxing with a view!
Getting to Steigen is fairly uncomplicated, with several options available.
#1 DRIVING is the easiest option. Coming from the north or south stick to highway E6 and take the Steigentunellen near Tommerneset.
#2 BUS AND TRAIN. The nearest train stations are in Bodo, Fauske and Narvik. Further, you can take the bus, route Fauske- Skutvika (journey time 4 hrs) bus line 100. Further exploration by bus can be planned using Travel Nordland website, keeping in mind that the internal bus connections are infrequent and often require interchanges.
#3 BOAT from Lofoten, route Svolvaer-Skrova-Skutvik, alternatively route Lodingen-Bognes. These two marine connections will bring you to the northern part of Steigen.
#1 exploring Engeloya island
Engeloya is the largest of Steigen’s islands. Surrounded by spectacular fjords (Sagfjorden, Vestfjorden) the island is home to amazing Bosanden beach as well as many other coastal hidden gems (at Gradusan, Indre Steigbervika, Hakvag).
Moreover, Engeloya is a hikers’ paradise, comparable to iconic trails of nearby Lofoten. Some of the best examples of local walks are Trohornet, Prestkona, Saetertinden and Tretindan (some of then described in detail further in this article!)
Apart from the stunning outdoors, Engeloya is home to charming villages (Alstad, Hamar, Solheim).
All these are available to enjoy thanks to a good connection with mainland by Bogen-Alstad bridge, and a web of good quality roads and under-mountain tunnel connecting Engeloya (and Steigen) with highway E6 (Fauske-Bognes). Moreover, Steigen is connected to Lofoten by 2 ferry routes, hence exploring the area while on your Lofoten holidays is quite easy.
#2 hike to Trohornet (via Nonstinden)
Height: Trohornet 645 masl
Time: 4-5 hrs
Distance: 8.5 km
Level of Difficulty: moderate/demanding
Total elevation gain: 704 m
Trailhead/parking: parking bay along road 7520, Molnhogda (directions)
(<–click to use the interactive online map!)
Although Trohornet rises to modest 645 masl, its location at the northern tip of the highest mountain massif of Engeloya island makes it a perfect viewpoint and one of the best hikes in Steigen.
The trail to Trohornet is signposted and marked, hence very easy to navigate and follow, right from the start at the eastern end of the parking bay.
Initially dry and moderately steep path to Trohornet winds thru bushy woodland. After approx. 1.5 km the trail levels out as it comes to a spacious grassy meadow. At that point looking straight ahead, a grassy ridge comes in view. The trail slightly changes its character, becomes sandier and with loose stones. While it cuts thru the western slopes to climb to Nonstinden, the path offers breathtaking view to Pestkonestinden, to the west, across the lake.
The top of Nonstinden is a little bit off the main trail, but we still recommend venturing to this stunning viewpoint.
If you don’t fancy additional 50 m climb, skip Nonstinden and continue ahead to the spacious saddle at the foot of Trohornet. A word of warning: descent to the saddle is steep and requires navigating among loose stones; farther, at the opposite side of the saddle you’ll have to climb over very similar terrain. Keeping to trail markings (red dots and ‘T’s) makes the ascent much easier, as it takes you over more stable stones.
While concentrating on the steps, you’re likely to disregard the steepness of the ascent and suddenly emerge at the broad Trohornet summit ridge. The top is only a couple of minutes away, marked with a large cairn.
Ensure to explore the summit area for the best views. The most prominent landmarks seen from Trohornet are golden sands of Bosanden beach, Prestkonetinden (Prestkona), jagged shores at Gradusan, high mountain ridges of the southern Steigen. Of course, we can’t omit the jaw-dropping view to ‘Lofoten Wall’, a chain of mountainous islands stretching over horizon, directly to the north.
The best way to return is retracing your steps to the parking bay.
#3 Exploring Bosanden beach
Bosanden is one of the largest beaches of Steigen, located along the northern shores of Engeloya island. The beach is easily accessible by car, with large car park and newly built toilet block.
A walk along Bosanden is one of the most relaxing activities available in Steigen, the stripe of golden sand is over 1 km long and invites for a bare foot experience! It’s not uncommon to see small sailing boats and kayaks exploring the calm waters surrounding Bosanden.
Apart from the golden sand and turquoise water, beauty of Bosanden lies in its surroundings. The beach is in proximity of dramatic cliffs of Trohornet, while its eastern end is bordered by a cone of Mjeltinden. To the west, the beach gently transforms into a rugged coast with rocks and hidden sandy coves known only to the locals.
A day or afternoon spent at Bosanden may include a beach volleyball match (nets provided), and more importantly, during the polar day season the beach is a fine location for watching the midnight sun!
Responsible visitors may like to stay overnight at the beach and camp on the meadows that blanket Bosanden from the south.
#4 Hike to Smatinden (also called Smatindane or Smatinderne)
Height: Smatinden 875 masl
Time: 7-8 hrs
Distance: 13 km
Level of Difficulty: demanding
Total elevation gain: 766 m
Trailhead/parking: parking along the track to Skihytta, off road 835 (Trolldalen) (directions)
(<–click to use the interactive online map!)
Together with Hestdalstuva, Smatinden dominates the landscape of central land of western Steigen. The prolonged shape of the high ridge that homes Smatinden can be spotted from afar, and due to a telecom tower it’s easily recognisable.
Finding the trailhead can be troublesome, as the parking lot is located off the main road 835. Coming from Skjelvareid follow road 835 for approximately 5 km, look out for signpost to Ferdigplen and Skihytta, take the dirt road. When driving from the west the turn is also signposted. The dedicated car park is on the left hand side of the track, 1 km from the main road.
The exact location in Google Maps is 67.817985, 15.088478
During our trip to Smatinden we struggled to find the trailhead (we only had a very vague trailhead location description). For this very reason (to improve your experience) we’re sharing the detailed information and directions today!
Hiking trail to Smatinden follows a wide and dry track all the way to the telecom tower, initially it winds thru old forest, but higher up it steeply rises over dry slopes of rock and grass. The terrain is open and you should prepare to be at the elements mercy, whether the summer heat or wind and rain, once you leave the forest there’s no shelter from the weather.
You may feel that the walk to telecom tower is dragging, as the scenery and views don’t change much till reaching the ridge.
Don’t be too tempted to leave the track and follow one of the ski routes (marked with sticks), as some of them cross wet land (not a problem when frozen in winter, but may be troublesome in summer or autumn).
After about 2-3 hours you’ll come to the ridge and see the telecom tower. By no means has the hike ended at the tower. A path on the left side of the tower and utility buildings will take you to a stunning viewpoint. Enjoy the view to Smatinden still a bit farther along the rocky ridge. You can also get to the viewpoint from a small hill at the right side of the tower.
To climb to the top of Smatinden find a fain path that descends from the viewpoint, it’s steep and moderately exposed. Further, find your way along the rocky ridge to approach the steep summit of Smatinden. Neither markings nor path help with the final climb, and finding a way to the top can be tricky and exposed.
The best way back is retracing your steps to the tower and along the track to car park.
TIP: if you find climbing to the top of Smatinden too hard/intimidating, why not explore the high ridge and enjoy the top of Tretinden, at the opposite end of the ridge to the tower before coming back to low ground?
#5 Visiting Brennvika beach (Brennvikasanden)
Brennvika is the longest beach in Steigen (over 2 km), and probably the most dramatically located. Find Brennviksanden at the westernmost tip of Steigen, a mountainous peninsula south from Nordfold. To the east and south Brennvika is walled by the massif of Kraktindan, the highest mountain of Steigen (1045 masl). Brenviksanden and surrounding dunes are under protection, hence please stick to paths and wooden walkways during your visit. Also, disappointingly staying overnight at the beach or car park is forbidden. Brennviksanden is a fine day trip destination, hidden in the shade of magnificent mountains it’s incredibly dramatic.
#6 Lofoten Wall view (Lofotveggen)
Lofoten archipelago stretches for almost 200km, and can be seen from coastal locations and mountain tops of Nordland and western Troms. Due to the mountainous terrain the archipelago seen from afar reminds a wall. In fact, the Lofoten Wall is a known term in Northern Norway, and viewpoints to Lofotveggen attract numerous visitors. From our experience of Steigen, the Lofoten Wall was best seen from Smatinden/Tretindan and Trohornet.
#7 Foraging for berries and mushrooms
Steigen and its unspoilt nature can also be enjoyed in a culinary way. This tip will be useful to those of you who confidently pick wild mushrooms and/or wild berries. We don’t recommend foraging to those of you without experience and knowledge, however the abundance of ‘gifts of nature’ in Steigen is well worth a mention.
While roaming the trails and coastal areas you will be able to forage for wild mushrooms (especially boletus) and berries (including crowberries, blueberries and even cloudberries)
Keep in mind that as per Norwegian outdoor code, a person is allowed to forage for their personal use only, and most importantly, is allowed to pick cloudberries only to be consumed on the spot.
SHARE WITH US WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT STEIGEN, ANF IF YOU’D LIKE TO VISIT THIS LITTLE KNOWN AREA!
